There once was a ship that put to sea  
And the name of that ship was the Billy o' Tea  
The winds blew hard, her bow dipped down  
Blow, me bully boys, blow

a  
d a  
a  
E a

Soon may the Wellerman come  
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
One day, when the tonguin' is done  
We'll take our leave and go

F C  
d a  
F C  
E a

She had not been two weeks from shore  
When down on her, a right whale bore  
The captain called all hands and swore  
He'd take that whale in tow

a  
d a  
a  
E a

Soon may the Wellerman come  
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
One day, when the tonguin' is done  
We'll take our leave and go

F C  
d a  
F C  
E a

Before the boat had hit the water  
The whale's tail came up and caught her  
All hands to the side, harpooned and fought her  
When she dived down below

a  
d a  
a  
E a

Soon may the Wellerman come  
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
One day, when the tonguin' is done  
We'll take our leave and go

F C  
d a  
F C  
E a

No line was cut, no whale was freed  
The Captain's mind was not on greed  
But he belonged to the whaleman's creed  
She took that ship in tow

a  
d a  
a  
E a

Soon may the Wellerman come  
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
One day, when the tonguin' is done  
We'll take our leave and go

F C  
d a  
F C  
E a

For forty days, or even more  
The line went slack, then tight once more  
All boats were lost, there were only four  
But still that whale did go

a  
d a  
a  
E a

Soon may the Wellerman come  
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
One day, when the tonguin' is done  
We'll take our leave and go

F C  
d a  
F C  
E a

As far as I've heard, the fight's still on  
The line's not cut and the whale's not gone  
The Wellerman makes his a regular call  
To encourage the Captain, crew, and all

a  
d a  
a  
E a

Soon may the Wellerman come  
To bring us sugar and tea and rum  
One day, when the tonguin' is done  
We'll take our leave and go

F C  
d a  
F C  
E a